Kansas City reflects growth of Muslim population in U.S.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ At early afternoon, the small grocery store is quiet except for the little boy playing steam shovel in a basin of dry beans. There are no customers.

But the owner, Muhammed Alhabashi, hurriedly sorts through wicker baskets of fresh zucchini and cucumbers. He glances at his watch.

"They're coming," he says.

A moment later, customers stream into the store. Soon the aisles of Halal Mart at 8330 Bannister Road are filled.

Alhabashi isn't psychic. He just knows that Friday prayer service is over at 1:45 p.m. and that the Islamic mosque is only five blocks away.

Worshippers come to his store to buy cheeses, breads, meats and spices for the weekend. They also come to introduce themselves, to make friends of strangers.

There are many strangers in Kansas City's Muslim community, which has, according to some, nearly doubled in population the past few years to 15,000 or so. The number is admittedly an educated guess. The U.S. Census doesn't ask about religion; the estimate is based on attendance at mosques and enrollment at Muslim schools, among other factors.